Dredger.



'. No. 662,329. vPatented Nov.'20, I900. 8. A. WEST.

DREDGEB.

(Lpplicltion filed Doc. 18, 1899.)

(lo Model.) asham shm I.

Tu: Noam PETEVIS co PnoTo-umo, WASHINGTON, 0. c4

'No. 662,329. Patented Nov. 20, I900. S. A. WEST. DBEDGEB.

6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 662,329. Patented Nov. 20, i900. s. A. WEST.

DBEDGER.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.)

(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

fi i'dnesses: [7206226021- "(L-662,329. Patented Nov. 20, I900.

s. A. wast. DREDGEB.

(llo Iodol.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

w: Noams PETERS co.

Patented Nov. 20, 1900. S. A. WEST. DREDGER.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.)

( No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

WzZnesses,

Tu: NORNS PETERS co. Puma mun, WASHINGTON. o. c. v

Patented" Nov. 20, I900.

S..A. WEST,

D R E D G E R.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.)

6 Shady- Sheet 6.

(No Model THE mums PETERS co, PHOTO-LUNG, wAsMmoTcN. n. cy

' Uwrrnn Frames PATENT FFlCEr SAMUEL A. VEST, OF SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO .BERTIN A. WEYL, OF SAME PLACE.

DREDGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,329, dated November20, 1900.

Application filed December 18, 1899. serial No. 740,799. (No model) Toall whom it may concern:

Be'it known that I, SAMUELA. WEST, acitizen of the United States,residing at No. 158 First street, in the city and county of SanFrancisco, in the State of California, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Dredgers; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, such aswill enable IO others skilled in the art to which it most nearlyappertains to make, use, and practice the same.

This invention relates to improvements in dredgers, and moreparticularly to dredgers for gold mining.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of oneof the floats or barges, the caisson, sluice-boxes, and amalgamators,the barge nearer being removed to show the lower end of the caisson.Fig. lsliis a continuation of Fig. 1 from the lines of separation X Xand shows the endless-belt bucket elevator and the mounting for thesame. Fig.

2 is a front elevation of the dredger floats and framing, together withthe controlling mechanism by which it is swung from side to side,

the caisson and its operative mechanism and the sluice-boxes beingremoved. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the dredger, the elevator be- 0 ingremoved and showing in dotted lines the sluice-boxes. Fig. 4 is a planView of the boom for carrying the bucket elevator and the mechanism bywhich it is shifted sidewise about its pivot, two positions being in- 5dicated by the broken lines Y Y, extending from the center of the pivot.Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the caisson, its operative mechanism, andmounting. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the caisson and its operative andcontrol- 0 ling mechanisms.

The present invention has for its particular objects the production of amachine which will lift the bulk or rough material from the bed of theriver, stream, or lake in which it 5 is operated toclear the same forthe descent of a caisson or bell in which a miner may work upon thefiner material left on the bedrock and in the fissures of the same.

A further object is to provide a construction by which the caisson maybe shifted over a certain path without necessitating the completeraising of the caisson or the shifting of the floats or barges on whichit is carried.

A further object is to provide means whereby the material gathered inthe caisson will be delivered therefrom to a system of sluiceboxes inall positions of the caisson sidewise or raised or lowered.

A further object is to provide means for raising and lowering thecaisson positively and with force and to maintain it so lowered, and afurther object is to regulate automatically the air-pressure in the saidcaisson.

The machine shown in the drawings is divisable into three separatemechanisms. The floats, the staging and trackways erected on the same,and the sluice-boxes and amalgama tors constitute one division. Theendlessbelt bucket elevator and mechanism foroperating and controllingthe same constitute a second division, while the caisson and itsshifting mechanisms and the forced air and forced water systemsoperating on the caisson constitute the third division. To facilitatethe description of the invention, we will describe each division in theorder named.

Of the first division the floats 1 l are constructed of any suitablematerial and size calculated to carry the total Weight of the parts ofthe machine. These floats are separated a distance amply sufficient topermit the caisson to pass between them. They are connected by suitablebracing passing across the ends of the open space between. Upon thedecks of these floats are mounted the various engines and boilers neededto operate the mechanisms for operating and controlling the elevator andcaisson, and also the tracks 2 2, the sluice-boxes 3, and the platform4., carrying the amalgamator 5, astairway (1' lead- 0 ing from the deckto the platform. The tracks 2 2 consist of suitable metal rails andextend from the cross-brace 7 in the front to the overhangingcross-brace 8 in the rear of the machine. The platform lis provided witha suit- 5 able roof 9. (See Fig. 2.) The sluice-boxes are of anysuitable construction, provided with the usual riffles and grizzlies andare extended from either side of the center of the machine and atapproximately the same height at the ends to receive the flow from thepump leading from the caisson in every position of the caisson on itstrack. By a system of boxes leading the one into the other the materialis finally delivered to the amalgamator, as shown in Fig. 1 of drawings.The debris and large stone or gravel which is carried past the grizzliesor perforated bottom of the sluice-box is carried out over the rear endof the machine, as is the fine debris and water which passes through theamalgamators. The forward ends of the sluice-boxes 3 extend across thespace between the floats 1 1 to receive the contents from the buckets ofthe elevator. (See Figs. 11} and 3ofdrawings.)

Of the second of the above-mentioned divisions the endless chain 10 isconstructed to operate over the sprockets 11 11 and has secured atsuitable intervals the buckets 12 12, of which a few only are shown inFig. 1% of drawings. These buckets are of any desired construction,designed to dig as a scoop as they pass around the lower sprocket anddeliver their load or contents as they pass over the upper sprocket,which in this instance is delivered into the sluice-box The chain iscarried on a frame 13, which is pivotally hung from the upper end of apivotal standard 14: and is raised and lowered by the tackle consistingof the pulleys 15 15 and line 16, which leads back and is wound on thewinch 17, which may be hand or power driven. By this construction theend of the elevator may be raised or lowered. The pulleys 15 aresupported from the boom 18, between the parallel arms of which theelevator rises. This boom is secured and braced upon the pivotalstandard 14. At the outer end, secured to eyelets, are guy-ropes 19,which lead to and pass about pulleys 2O at either extremity of thecross-beam of the end framing of the machine. From these pulleys eachextension of the guy-rope is led to and wound on a winch 21 in suchmanner that one extension is wound off as the other is wound on the saidwinch. By this means the boom 18 and the elevator are swung about thepivotal center 22 of the standard 14, causing the elevator to raise therough material ofi the bed-rock or to wear the bed-rock in the path ofthe caisson as the machine is moved forward. As the heavy materialfromthe elevator is deposited in the sluicebox 3 a stream of water is thrownby the centrifugal or other pump 23 through the pipe 24: into thesluice-box'to wash the material down and prevent the stoppage orlodgment at that point. This mixed stream of water and heavier materialis carried down the inclined sluice-boxes and separated by the grizzly,the heavier debris and large gravel and stone passing from the sluiceover the rear end of the machine, While the finer sand and light dirtare carried through the amalgamators 5 and there denuded of the goldcarried by them.

This invention is based on the known fact that in the sediment of anydeposits of the streams containing gold the gold is heavier and sinksthrough the lighter material and lies on or near the bed-rock in largestpercentages, and also that the fissures or raised edges of the bed-rock,as well as sharp depressions therein, serve as resting-places for thegold, where it remains unaffected by the floods, which may wash theupper and lighter material away. It is impossible for the dredger of theusual construction to get at or raise the gold from these places. It iswith special reference to the accomplishment of this object that I havedesigned the present machine, employing the caisson, which may belowered to bed-rock and the water forced from it by pneumatic pressure,permitting a man to descend to and operate on the bedrock, to scrape thegold or heavy sand containing gold off the surface of the rock and fromthe depressions and fissures in the same.

Of the third of the divisions above mentioned the caisson 25 is theelement operated on. It consists of a cylinder of suitable metalcalculated to withstand any crushing strain to which the use describedmight subject it. The bottom is open and unobstructed. The top isclosed, having set in the metal a-heavy plate-glass 26, to furnish lightand serve as an observation-point to observe the operations of theoperator, and thus guard against accident to him. Through the top isprovided a manhole or entrance which is closed by a door 27, which maybe locked in position. Through this top is also introduced the flexibleair-duct 28, which is connected by suitable valves 29 29 to the pipes30, extended parallel with the track of the caisson and provided withthe said valves 29 at intervals to provide for connections for the pipe28 in convenient locations. The pipe 30 is connected by the pipe 31 toan air-compressor 32, located on the deck of the float. The air thusemployed serves the triple purpose of forcing the water from thecaisson, providing air for the operator to breathe, and to raise thecaisson. To lower the caisson, there are provided the hydraulic rams 3333, which consist of hollow cylinders secured to the guide-frame 34, inwhich the caisson operates. In these cylinders are fitted the rams 35,which are rigidly mounted on the brackets 36, set out from the side ofthe caisson near the lower edge thereof. The frame 34 is strengthened bythe vertical tie-rods 37. (See Fig. tiofthe drawings.) Into the upperend of the cylinders are introduced the pipes 38, and these are fed fromthe pipe 39, which is connected by a flexible section to a valve 41 onthe pipe 42, which extends parallel to the tracks 2. By the pipe 43 thebefore-mentioned pipes are connected to a hydraulic force-pump (notshown in the drawings) of any suitable construction. It will be seenthat as the water is pumped into the cylinders above the rams these areforced down, carrying the caisson until the same rests firmly on thebed-rock; also, by permitting the water to flow from the cylinders abovethe rams the caisson will be raised by the air in the same. For thispurpose the pipes 39 and 40 are provided with the valves side of thecaisson.

46 and 45. WVhen it is thus desired to raise the caisson, the valve 45is closed and the valve 46 is opened, permitting the water to flow downthe pipe 39 and escape from the same. This flow may be regulated by thevalve to permit the rise of the caisson to be controlled by theoperator. This permits the caisson to be raised a short distance fromthe bed-rock, so that the same maybe shifted on the tracks 2 2 withoutraising the caisson more than is absolutely needed to pass anyobstruction on the bed-rock. In thus shifting the caisson it may becomenecessary to connect the pipe 40 to another of the valves 41, and it isto permit this while holding the caisson down that the valve 44 isplaced on the pipe 39, above the connection of the pipe 40, so that bythe closing of the valve 44 the water-pressure is maintained on thecaisson While the pipe 40 is disconnected from one valve 41 and attachedto another. "When the connection is made, the valve 44 may be opened toallow added pressure to be placed on the caisson or a diminution of thesame through the valve 46, as described. The frame 34 is raised on thetruck 47, which is mounted on the wheels 48 on the tracks 2 2. Uponopposite sides of the truck are secured the ends of an endless line 49,which is led forward and aft around the pulleys 50 50 at the forward andrear ends of the path of the caisson and wound on the drum 51, mountedon the side of the truck. This drum isrotated by a suitable crank andgear turned by hand-power. By connecting the ends of the line 49 on theone side of the truck and drum 51 on the opposite side the moving strainis equalized on the truck. As the inaterial is gathered at the bedrockby the miner in the caisson it is thrown within the infiuence of a pump52, which is secured to the (See Fig. 5 of the drawings.) This pump isof any suited construction adapted to raise the heavy material thusdelivered to it upward through the pipes 53 54 and deliver it into thetop sluice-box 3 through the horizontal extension 55. The pipes 53 54are of different diameters and arranged to telescope, the upperextension 54 being mounted siationarily on the frame 34 and held inguides 56 to the side of the caisson. The lower extension 53 is mountedstationarily on the side of the caisson to move with the same. By thisarrangement the delivery end of the pump is maintained in po sition todeliver the material, as raised, to the sluice-boXes independently ofthe depth to which the caisson is sunk. The pump 52 is in the present.instance operated by a stream of water delivered to it by the flexiblepipe 57, which is connected by the pipes 58 and 59 to the centrifugal orother force-pit m p 60, which is driven by the same engine operating theforce-pump for the rains for sinking the caisson. (See Fig. 3, in whichthe broken lines terminating in the arrow-heads indicate beltingconnecting the pulleys of the driving mechanism.)

The machine is anchored by any suitable means which will permit of itsbeing shifted from time to time in eithera forward or sidewise position.

In the operation of the general machine the elevator 10 is employed toraise the bulk of the sediment on the river-bed and conveyit into thesluice-box 3, where it is washed down and through the amalgamator 5 tosave any gold which maybe carried by it. As itis operated it is swungabout its pivot 22 and the machine moved slowly forward. This operationis continued until the end of the elevator has passed over and clearedas much of the bed as is covered by the space between the tracks 2 2.The caisson is then shifted'back to the rear end of the tracks by theline 49 and drum 50, Where it is lowered by the hydraulic rams 33, asdescribed. hen the caisson is in position on the bed-rock, the minerenters through the door 27, and the air-pressure is turned on, with theeffect that the water in the lower end of the caisson is graduallyforced out of the same until it is cleared,when

the miner may descend by a ladder provided to the bedrock and pursue hisoperations, as described. As the space covered by the caisson is clearedthe same may be partly raised off the bottom (the water being maintainedout by the air-pressure) and shifted forward by the line 49 and drum 50for the distance of its diameter, Where it is again lowered. Thisoperation is continued until the caisson is drawn forward to the forwardend of the tracks 2 2 and the whole stretch of the bedrock has beencleaned up. The machine is now slowly shifted forward, the elevator 10operating as described, and the caisson remaining stationary until readyto be shifted forward. The operation of the-elevator is much more rapidthan the caisson, so that the forward movement of the elevator andfloats is greater and more constant than the move ments of the caisson.This results in the caisson, though moving forward from time to time,coming ultimately to the rear of the tracks 2 2. Here the forwardmovement of the elevator and floats is arrested until the caisson hasbeen again moved to the forward end of the tracks, as described, whenthe elevator and floats are again moved. This operation is contin nous.

To prevent accident by reason of overpressure of air in the caisson, thepipe 30 is provided at the one end with valve 51, which opens at a fixedpressure. The same provision is made in the employment of apressurevalve 62 on the pipe '58 to regulate the force of the wateroperating the pump 52.

While I have described the simple .means of introducing the minerthrough the door 27 prior to admitting the air-pressure, it will beunderstood a construction of an inner compartment with two doors of theordinary construction could be employed, which would admit the miner toand from the caisson at all times.

As an adjunct to the raising and lowering apparatus I have shown at Fig.1 a mechanical device consisting of the line 63 and pulleys 64. Thisline is operated by a drum or winch power or hand driven. It is intendedto supplement the action herein described. This tackle is also used inconnection with a brake 65 to control the descent of the caisson.

Having thus described this invention, it is claimed- 1. In a dredger ofthe character specified, the combination with a barge having an open ingto receive a caisson; of a caisson open at the lower end and having atop closed by a door; two hydraulic rams located on opposite sides ofthe caisson; suitable machinery for forcing water into the said rams tolower the caisson; and a forced-air system to fill the said caisson withair to force the water therefrom; substantially as described.

2. In a device of the nature indicated,a supporting structure,a caissonmovable thereon, a ram having sliding movement in a tube, said ram andtube extending in the direction of the before-mentioned movement of thecaisson and being attached one to the supporting structure and the otherto the caisson, means for supplying a fluid to the said tube to act uponthe ram to cause movement of the caisson, and means for discharging saidfluid from the tube; substantially as described.

3. In a device of the nature indicated,a supporting structure, a caissonmovable thereon, and having an attached part in a chamber adapted toreceive a fluid to bear. upon said attached part to cause movement ofthe said caisson,a pipe communicating with said chamber and providedwith a discharge-valve, and a supply-pipe communicating with saidfirstmentioned pipe at a point between the discharge-valve and the pointof communication between the said first-mentioned pipe and the chamber;substantially as described.

4. In a device of the nature indicated,a movable caisson arranged with achamber adapted to receive fluid to cause movement of the caisson, asupply-pipe communicating with said chamber, said supply pipe havingdetachable connection with its source of supply, and a valve in saidpipe between its source of supply and the point at which it communicateswith said chamber; substantially as described.

5. In a device of the nature indicated,a movable caisson arranged withacham ber adapted to receive fluid to cause movement of the caisson, apipe comm nnicating with said chamber and adapted to supply the fluidfor causing movement of the caisson, two valves in said pipe, asupply-pipe communicating with said first-mentioned pipe at a pointbetween said valves, said supply-pipe having detachable connection withits source of supply, and a valve in said supply-pipe; substantially asdescribed.

6. In a device of the nature indicated,a supporting structure, a caissonor the like having movement thereon, a supply-pipe upon said structureand extending in substantially the direction of movement of thecaisson,a plurality of valves upon said pipe, and asecond pipecommunicating with said caisson and adapted to be connected to thevarious valves on the firstmentioned pipe; substantially as described.

7. In a dredger of the character specified, the combination with a bargeconsisting in two floats separated to receive a caisson between andhaving parallel tracks mounted one on each float; a caisson mounted onWheels on the said tracks and open at the bottom and closed at the topby a door; suitable means for moving the caisson on the said tracks; twohydraulic rams located on opposite sides of the caisson; suitablemachinery for forcing water into the said rams to lower the caisson andhaving a delivery-pipe parallel with the said tracks provided withconnection-valves at suitable intervals; a connecting-pipe to connectone of the said valves on the delivery-pipe and the said rams andadapted to be extended to varying lengths to form the connectionindependently of the location of the valves and rams; and a forced-airsystem to fill the said caisson with air to force the water therefrom;substantially as described.

8. In a dredger of the character specified the combination with a bargeconsisting in two floats separated to receive a caisson between andhaving parallel tracks mounted one on each float; a caisson mounted onwheels on the said tracks and open at the bottom and closed at the topby a door; suitable means for moving the caisson on the said tracks; twohydraulic rams located on opposite sides of the caisson; suitablemachinery for forcing Water into the said rams to lower the caisson, andhaving a delivery-pipe parallel with the said tracks provided withconnection-valves at suitable intervals; a connecting-pipe to connectone of the said valves on the delivery-pipe and the said rams andadapted to be extended to varying lengths to form the connectionindependently of the location of the valves and rams; and a forced-airsystem to fill the said'caisson with air to force the water therefromand comprising a pipe extended parallel with the said tracks and havingcon nection-valves at suited intervals, and a flexible pipe connectingthe said caisson and valves; substantially as described.

9. In a device of the nature indicated, a float, a caisson movable alongsaid float, a sluice-box upon said float and extending substantiallyparallel with the direction of said movement of the caisson, and adischarging apparatus carried by said caisson and adapted to dischargeinto said sluice-box; substantially as described.

10. In a dredger of the character specified the combination with a bargeconsisting in two floats separated to receive a caisson between andhaving parallel tracks mounted one on each float; a caisson mounted onWheels on the said tracks, and provided with suitable means for beingmoved thereon; a hydranlic pump located at the lower end of the saidcaisson and provided with a telescopic delivery-pipe the upper end ofwhich is secured to remain constantly at the same height; a sluice-boxstationarily arranged on one of the said floats to receive the deliveryfrom the said telescopic pipe, and extended parallel to the said tracks,substantially as described.

11. In a dredger of the character specified the combination with anendless bucket elevator adapted to raise the earthy sediment from nearthe bed-rock a barge consisting of two parallel floats separated toreceive a caisson between and having parallel tracks mounted one on eachfloat; a caisson mounted on the said tracks and provided with suitablemeans for being moved lengthwise the same; a hydraulic pump located onthe lower end of the said caisson to move with the same and providedwith a telescopic delivery-pipe the upper end of which is stationarilyfixed to remain at the same height; and a sluiceboX stationarilyarranged on the said float to receive and deliver from the said bucketelevator and the said delivery-pipe and extended lengthwise on the saidtracks, substantially as described.

12. In a dredger of the character specified the combination with a bargehaving an opening to receive a caisson; of a caisson open at the lowerend and having a top closed by a door; two hydraulic rams located onopposite sides of the caisson to lower the same and provided withsuitable forcing machinery; a forced-air system to fill the said caissonwith air and float the same as the water is drawn from the said rams anda suitable mechanical hoisting apparatus connected to the said caissonand comprising a brake to prevent the fall of the said caisson,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day ofNovember, 1899.

SAMUEL A. EST.

IVitnesses:

MAIER. A. OAHN, FRANKLIN L. RATHBUN.

